Unity Group: Digital Commerce Transformation Partner

The RenDanHeYi model, developed by Haier Group CEO Zhang Ruimin in 2005, is revolutionary management philosophy aimed at transforming traditional hierarchical corporate structures into highly adaptive, customer-centric ecosystems. Rooted in the belief that employees (Ren) and their entrepreneurial capabilities should align with customer needs (Dan) to create value, the model emphasizes individual accountability and dynamic organizational roles (HeYi). By dismantling conventional silos, the RenDanHeYi model fosters a network of autonomous micro-enterprises within the larger corporate entity, transforming the organization into a nimble startup factory.

To develop and share the idea of Zero Distance and its broader management philosophy of RenDanHeYi, Haier hosts an annual forum to celebrate the world's most progressive organizations. This September marks the 8th edition of the forum, taking place in Haier’s hometown, Qingdao, on September 20. Working with the Business Ecosystem Alliance and the Management Lab, the Haier Model Institute will release the inaugural listing of the progressive companies which are putting Zero Distance and related ideas into practice.

These organizations are characterized by:

• Zero Distance to customer | Decision what to build is based on insights from the marketplace

• Autonomy | Small teams with full decision-making autonomy enable speed in execution

• Shared Rewards | Everyone in the micro-enterprise participates in its financial success

For the 2024 inaugural ZeroDX awards, Haier approached us to list 50 self-managed organizations that showcase the principles of RenDanHeYi in how they organise their work. Unity Group is one of the 50 organisations we listed this year.

Introducing Unity Group

Unity Group, founded in 1997, is a prominent player in the area of digital commerce transformation. The company started to operate when there were only 50 million internet users worldwide. Today, Unity Group enables businesses to thrive in the digital age with comprehensive e-commerce solutions, custom software development, AI, data analytics, and system integration. The company transforms commercial operations by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Unity Group’s agile approach and extensive industry experience ensure measurable results, empowering companies to reach their full potential in a competitive market. The company employs nearly 500 professionals and has successfully completed over 500 commerce transformation projects across diverse industries, including retail, finance, furniture, healthcare, and construction. This innovative player takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to the success of its clients as well as to the development and growth of its employees.

Unity Group serves as a prime example of RenDanHeYi in the Software Development Industry in Poland. It has embraced a network of teams approach to organizational design where every team has the capacity, autonomy and authority to work closely with clients and make all necessary decisions independently. Unity Group has nurtured a truly collaborative culture driven by openness, mutual respect, and development - of the people and the community at large.

Culture of Trust: The Foundation

Unity Group believes that the company’s organizational culture is one of its most important assets. The company operates on a foundation of mutual declaration for every member, focusing on independence and agility, both individually and within teams. This culture is based on trust. It represents an agreement among all employees, promoting responsibility, cooperation, and the delegation of power and impact to teams. These teams work independently, guided by unique contracts established individually by each team.

At Unity Group roles are more important than positions, and all decisions align with strategic goals, mission, vision, and most of all values. The company’s organizational structure balances horizontal and vertical elements to promote flexibility and innovation. Teams are composed of experts in various fields to ensure a holistic approach to project execution, supporting continuous improvement and collaboration essential for maintaining competitive edge in a fast-paced digital landscape.

The culture is built on openness, with 85% of employees acknowledging the welcoming environment for ideas, suggestions, and feedback. Trust and ownership are key, with 93% of employees feeling empowered to perform to their full potential without micromanagement. Knowledge sharing and growth are also emphasized, with 93% of employees recognizing the opportunities for development and 96% enjoying collaboration with their team members.

Progressive Practices: Keeping It Real

Unity Group is a progressive organization that prioritizes a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering employees to experiment, fail, and grow within a supportive environment. It embraces agility and decentralization, allowing cross-functional teams to make autonomous decisions swiftly, adapting to market changes and client needs with precision. It honors the commitment to transparency and flat hierarchical structures fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, accountability, and shared purpose. By prioritizing employee well-being and work-life balance, Unity Group nurtures a motivated and engaged team, driving sustainable success and long-term growth. The company implemented several practices to keep it real:

• Adoption of Team-of-Teams: which enhances collaboration and agility across the organization.
• Holaspirit Implementation: supporting the functioning of the organization as a network of teams through a platform that enhances transparency & collaboration.
• Culture of Feedback: which replaced traditional evaluations and thus fosters an environment of continuous improvement and growth.
• OKR Methodology: implementing Objectives and Key Results to ensure clear goal-setting and alignment throughout the organization.
• Flat Salary System: elimination of the so-called “motivational remuneration system” and resignation from individual bonuses which ensured fairness and transparency.
• Supportive Leadership: emphasizing and developing leaders in the direction that focuses on empowering and guiding team members rather than micromanaging them.
• Navigational Budgeting System: the budgeting approach that allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in financial planning and resource allocation.

Customer-Centric Approach

Customer centricity is at the core of Unity Group's operations. The company established a ‘zero distance’ approach to realizing projects, meaning that client-facing employees have the authority and autonomy to make crucial decisions about the services delivered, and the clients are working hand in hand with Unity Group’s teams. This approach ensures that client needs are addressed promptly and effectively.

Unity Group's dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in its proactive service model, where the company anticipates client needs and provides tailored solutions. Moreover, the company prioritizes the customers’ goals and strategies. One of Unity Group’s key differentiators is its commitment to total honesty. The company is transparent about the risks inherent in any project, addressing potential challenges upfront with clarity. Unity Group leverages its extensive experience to adapt and resolve issues as they arise, ensuring that once they commit to a project, they see it through to full delivery without backing down.

To truly understand Unity Group’s impact, one only needs to speak with their clients. Unity Group willingly facilitates connections with companies worldwide, allowing potential clients to hear firsthand how Unity Group has helped others succeed. This transparency and dedication have built a solid reputation and client partnerships that last in some cases over 20 years.

In addition to its project-focused initiatives, Unity Group organizes annually the CommUnity Event, which brings together all its clients. This event fosters knowledge sharing, relationship-building and mutual inspiration, creating a vibrant community where clients can learn from each other and grow together.

Achievements Follow Values

Unity Group's dedication to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards. The company has been honored in nearly 30 competitions and rankings. This year Unity Group was placed extremely high in the Great Place to Work ranking, achieving 16th place in Poland among middle-sized companies. This reflects the organization’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work culture. Additionally, in June 2024, the company was recognized as one of the ten Best Managed Companies in Poland by Deloitte, which underscored Unity Group’s effective leadership and management practices.

Conclusion

As businesses continue to evolve and adapt in the ever-changing digital landscape, Unity Group remains committed to pushing the boundaries of digital commerce transformation, driving success for its clients and creating a positive impact on the technology community at large. It has crafted its own path to organisational setup that closely resembles RenDanHeYi particularly in the level of autonomy granted to teams and agility achieved by the business.